Posted on 04/05/2006 9:24:12 AM PDT by mr_hammer
April 5, 2006
Thank you for contacting me regarding illegal immigration. I agree that illegal immigration is a very serious problem and appreciate knowing your views.
Currently, there are approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States, with close to 1 million more arriving every year. Yet, our current immigration system is broken. It is a system that is not good for American security, particularly during our fight to combat international terrorism. It is not good for American workers and businesses. And, it is not good for the immigrants, themselves.
To tackle this problem, we must have a comprehensive immigration plan that toughens our borders, documents illegal immigrants, and provides for American labor needs. On March 28, 2006, the Senate Judiciary Committee, of which I am a member, passed immigration legislation out of Committee. The legislation is the first step toward comprehensive immigration reform. I voted in favor of the bill, which would secure our southern border by providing for an additional 12,000 border patrol agents, increased use of technology, and a fence along portions of the border. The bill also includes a guest worker program limited to approximately 400,000 people per year and a way to document and provide legal status for immigrants already here.
Again, thank you for contacting me. If you have any additional concerns, please feel free to contact me anytime.
Very respectfully yours, MIKE DeWINE United States Senator
bttt
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